The primary criteria for anyone to be qualified as a life coach isn’t a course as much as it’s the lessons they’ve learned from their journey, including victories and losses, frustrations and all the events that have given them the ability to offer perspective.

Becoming a certified coach is a creative and fulfilling opportunity to work from home, be your own boss, and help others reach their goals. A certification gives your business legitimacy, and provides you with a community of supportive individuals and the tools for success. Currently, there are no standardized practices, but the Certified Coaches Federation (CCF), the leader in life and executive coach certifications, training, and standards, offers certification courses across the U.S. and Canada, with an upcoming course on March 24-25 in Tacoma, WA at the Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown.

The barriers to becoming a life coach are relatively minimal, but the payoff can be big both personally and professionally. For those looking to explore this fulfilling career path, here are some clarifying questions:

1. What exactly is a life coach or executive coach?

There are many types of coaching: Life, executive, health, relationship, personal development, leadership, and so many more. Coaches want to help you achieve your goals by sorting through your life to clear the path to success. Life coaches help hold you accountable and keep your path clear from any mental blocks. The role of a life coach is to be a mentor, friend, ally, a voice of reason, a sense of motivation, a helping hand and a person you can rely on.

2. Why do successful people hire life coaches?

Life coaching and personal development is a powerful tool successful individuals use to continuously take their abilities to the next level. Talking with a professional coach offers a unique perspective and facilitates drastic growth, learning, and improvement at each new life opportunity. Your life coach should empower you with a sense of purpose and accountability. The CCF Coaches and Training Programs have been endorsed by thousands of companies, associations, authors and self-improvement experts worldwide.

3. What is the difference between a therapist and a life coach?

Counseling and life coaching often get confused because both are aimed toward helping the client through both challenging and even rewarding times, all while constantly growing and improving. Therapists, counselors and psychologists have varying Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Although you do not need to be a doctor to be a life coach, many counselors and psychologists go on to become life coaches to further their passion of helping others.

4. How do you know if a coach is legitimate?

Because you do not have to be a doctor to be a life coach, people often question the legitimacy of life coaches and career coaches. Currently, there are no standardized coaching practices recognized in total by all coaches in North America. The Certified Coaches Federation (CCF) is the leader in life and executive coach certifications, training, and standards, and has given distinguished titles to more than 12,000 coaches, providing the tools, support and regulations for coaches to be successful. Be sure to ask if your life coach or executive coach is a Certified Coach Practitioner or Certified Master Coach Practitioner and be on the lookout for the official CCF endorsement and logo on their website and marketing materials.

5. Do life coaches make a lot of money?

Many people speak to how life coaches changed their lives. Many wonder if it’s a way for them to make their mark on the world and inspire others. The wealth of knowledge, support and continuing education options available to each certified coach is astonishing. In a two-day Coach Practitioner Certification Course, you’ll receive all the training and information needed to start your own practice and be a successful life coach. Making money being a certified coach gives your business legitimacy, a community of supportive individuals, and the tools to make a living doing what you love.

If you’re considering this career path, a certification weekend, hosted by globally recognized author and Certified Master Coach Practitioner, Rich Cavaness, is being held on March 24-25 in Tacoma, WA at the Courtyard by Marriott Tacoma Downtown. The two-day live Life Coach Certification & Executive Coach Certification Program includes:

Experience as a coach and a client (The first three sessions with your client.)

CCF Certified Coach Training Workbook

Mastering the Language of Coaching

The Goals & Objectives Defined Tool Box

How people create limited beliefs – How to create new empowering beliefs

Rich spends his time helping others by coaching, training and teaching. His goal is to inspire people to achieve their own personal level of success by reaching their goals and dreams. Rich shares his expertise and gratitude in his videos, books, webinars and workshops.